Leclerc: Ferrari "missing something" in quali

Saudi podium finisher identifies qualifying performance as critical weakness hampering Ferrari's 2025 championship aspirations

Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari's race pace is competitive enough to challenge for victories, but the team's persistent qualifying struggles are proving costly in their championship battle against McLaren and Red Bull.

Leclerc secured his first podium of the season in Saudi Arabia, finishing third behind Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen.

However, the Monegasque driver expressed frustration at having to fight through the field after another disappointing Saturday performance.

"We are close on the race pace. I think free air dictates a little bit who is going to win the race,"

Leclerc stated after his Saudi podium.

"When that's the case, qualifying is more important."

Inconsistent qualifying issues plaguing Ferrari

The Ferrari SF-25, featuring the team's new push-rod suspension design, appears to have untapped potential that hasn't been fully realized in the opening rounds.

"Unfortunately, for two years, we are just struggling in qualifying to put everything together,"

Leclerc lamented.

"This weekend the problem is it's not always the same issue. This time it was four-tenths in the first three corners. For the rest of the lap, we were fast."

What's particularly puzzling for the Ferrari driver is how those same problematic sectors transform into strengths during race conditions.

"In the race, actually, the first sector was probably the best sector we had,"

he explained.

"Obviously, there are answers in what we are doing, and we are doing something wrong, clearly. We've got to find it."

Championship concerns mounting

Ferrari currently sits fourth in the constructors' standings with 78 points, already trailing championship leaders McLaren by 110 points.

Leclerc acknowledges the mounting pressure to resolve their qualifying issues quickly.

"We cannot lose too many races before finding it because we're already 50 points down in the Drivers' Championship,"

he warned.

"We're not looking at it too much, but 50 points is a big number. I don't want to be losing more points than that in the next few races."

The situation appears particularly frustrating given Ferrari's evident race pace. The team clearly outperformed Mercedes in Saudi Arabia, but Leclerc's qualifying position behind George Russell complicated his Sunday.

Car balance shines in race conditions

Leclerc expressed satisfaction with the SF-25's handling during races, making the qualifying struggles even more perplexing.

"It's been a very long time I haven't been as happy with the car balance," he admitted.

"I feel very at ease with the car in a way that I know I can extract the maximum out of the car more often than not, but unfortunately, the car potential is just not good enough to fight for better in qualifying."

The Monegasque praised the team's execution in other areas, noting,

"Strategy was great. Pit stops have been great the whole season and also the whole of last year as well. There wasn't much more we could have done."

Miami offers next opportunity

As Formula 1 heads to Miami this weekend, Ferrari finds itself within striking distance of Red Bull, trailing by just 11 points in the constructors' standings. However, Leclerc's message remains clear about the team's priorities.

"We just need a better car. If we start further up, we'll have our chances," he insisted.

"If not, we're all too close in the race to make a difference. We really need to focus and put everything together in qualifying."

With Lewis Hamilton still adapting after his high-profile switch from Mercedes, the pressure falls on Leclerc to deliver results while the team works to unlock the SF-25's full qualifying potential.